Self-gripping fastener for cream can tops



Oct. 19, 1937. E FRAYS R 2,096,098

SELF GRIPPING FASTENER FOR CREAM CAN TOPS Filed May 26, 1936 ,ZWardf'raysaz;

INVENTOR mywra ATTOR N EYS Patented Oct. 19, 1937' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SELF-GRIPPING FASTENER FOR CREAM CAN TOPS Application May 26, 1936, Serial No. 81,905

3 Claims.

This invention relates to fasteners especially adapted for cream or milk cans and has for the primary object the provision of a simple and inexpensive device of this character which may be easily and quickly actuated to either release or efiiciently secure a cover of a can so that no danger of the cover becoming displaced either by internal or external forces Will be had and which in no way will interfere with the handling or stacking of one can upon the other and which will be sanitary to meet health regulations.

With these and other objects in view, this invention consists in certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

For a complete understanding of my invention, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation, partly in section, showing a cream or milk can equipped with fasteners constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a front elevation showing one of the fasteners.

Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating one of the fasteners in an open position and removed from the can. 7

Referring in detail to the drawing, the numeral indicates a conventional type of cream or milk can having a removable cover 2. In order to secure the cover 2 against accidental displacement on the can a pair of fasteners 3 are mounted on the can and brought to engage openings 4 formed in the cover. It is preferable that the fasteners be oppositely arranged on the can and as both fasteners are similarly constructed reference to one is thought sufiicient.

A substantially U-shaped hinge element 5 is se- 40 cured to the can I by a strap 6, the latter being riveted, welded or otherwise secured to the can. The ends of the element 5 are bent to form eyes 1 and said eyes interlock with eyes 8 formed on an actuating element 9. The actuating element is constructed from a single length of metal bent upon itself to provide parallel portions each portion being bent to form the eye 8. The actuating element has one end offset, as shown at III, while the opposite end terminates in eyes II to receive a pivot pin I2. A retaining element l3 has an eye M which receives the pivot element I2 and is located between the eyes II. The free actuating element 9. The actuating element 9 when swung away from the can increases the length of the fastener so that the hook [5 may be moved into or out of the openings 4 of the cover. To shorten the fastener the actuating 5 element 9 is swung in the direction of the can so that the offset portion Ill straddles the retaining element, the latter having an offset I 6 in which the offset end ll] of the actuating element, moves. The offset end ll] of the actuating 10 element 9 when received in the offset l6 of the retaining element positions the pivot of the latter off center consequently retaining the actuating element in a position to shorten the fastener tothe maximum and thereby retain the 15 cover firmly upon the can.

A can equipped with fasteners in accordance with the foregoing will permit the securing of the cover against accidental displacement either by internal or external forces and even when the actuating element is swung into cover releasing position, the latter will be prevented from being forced entirely off of the can by internal forces.

Having described the invention, I claim:

1. A fastener comprising a substantially U shaped hinge element hinged to a can and including eyes, an actuating element including eyes passing through the eyes of the hinge element, and a retaining element hinged to one end of the actuating element and bent toform a hook to engage in an opening of a cover.

2. A fastener comprising a substantially U- shaped hinge element hinged to a can and including eyes, an actuating element including eyespassing through the eyes of the hinge element, a retaining element hinged to one end of the actuating element and bent to form a hook to engage in an opening of a cover, said actuating element having its other end bent angularly and including connected spaced portions adapted to straddle the retaining element when positioned to secure the cover to the can.

3. A fastener comprising a substantially U- shaped hinge element hinged to'a can and including eyes, an actuating element including eyes passing through the eyes of the hinge element, a retaining element hinged to one end of the actuating element and bent to form a hook to engage in an opening of a cover, said actuating element having its other end bent angularly and including connected spaced portions adapted to straddle the retaining element when positioned to secure the cover to the can, said retaining element being offset to be engaged by the angularly related end of the actuating element.

EDWARD FRAYSUR. 

